This is one of my favorite albums, and I think part of that might be that the songs were shorter, more concise. In that respect it reminds me of Shot of Love (another favorite). I also like to point to this album for those who think that after the "Christian trilogy" he was all done with religion and spiritual stuff. Oh Mercy is very introspective, very spiritual. What Good Am I, Ring Them Bells, Man in the Long Black Coat, Shooting Star, ...and I love Lanois' production, too.
Great review John, I have a soft spot for this album. One Dylans biography Down The Line, the two albums he doesnt with Danial are documented and add to the listening now.
Hi John, I've just watched and thoroughly enjoyed this review. I don't know where the title Oh Mercy came from but I like to think it was a nod to his fellow Wilbury Roy Orbison who passed away the previous year and famously spoke the word "Mercy" in his Oh Pretty Woman song. I'm probably way off the mark though.
This is a fantastic album John. Most of the Time is an absolute classic and one of my favourite Dylan tracks ever. Ring Them Bells, Shooting Star and What Good Am I are also amazing. Another great review for a fabulous album.
Beautiful album . Great review . I do love shooting star for it's simplicity mind . I saw a shooting star tonight and I thought of you . Most of the time , man in the long black coat ,ring them bells are faultless . Under the red sky was an album sort of nursery rhyme based with his little girl in mind I believe ?
Thanks John. I really enjoy your in depth reviews, particularly on my two favorite artists Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. This is Bob’s New Orleans album, recorded at Lanois’ home studio with local musicians. A great return to form, although Shooting Star is much better and passionate on MTV Unplugged. After hearing some of your reviews, I often revisit these albums to re-listen to tracks I may have overlooked. Keep up the good work!
James Griffiths good to know James the first one I was introduced to was slow train coming a few years after its release mind...like early 80s....cheers
I was also delighted with "Oh Mercy" when it came out in 89' - I was starting to give up hope, somewhat, on Bob at that point.. and like you, I was no longer buying vinyl in those years - I originally had it on cassette..."Everything Is Broken" was the song from it that got a lot of airplay - I remember hearing it on the radio and thinking "Bob's back!" - I don't know if you're up on Classic Blues artists, John, but that song is very much in the style of Slim Harpo - The Stones covered his song "Shake Your Hips" on "Exile on Main St", as well as a couple of his other tunes on earlier albums... I think that "Oh Mercy" has held up quite well over the years, and as another person noted in the comments here, the album benefits from the shorter, more concise, songs...Nice review, as usual, John.
Hi John .. another great review... I have been thinking of buying a vinyl album of bob Dylan for quite a while, so going on your review I will be purchasing this one.. thanks ... alan
Another great review of a solid album by Mr Dylan. Good choice. Great cover. "Disease of Conceit" and "Shooting Star" are my favorites. A great return for Bob from the abyss called the 1980's. I think Bob's work with the Wilbury's maybe freed him up a bit. It's funny cuz all of the Wilbury's each would also put some of their best solo albums during this period as well. Without a doubt Daniel Lanois'(which is actually pronounced, Lan-wah) production really helps Dylan's tunes. As you mentioned, it really gives a swampy feel to the songs. Loved his work on "Time out of Mind" as well. I did, however, read somewhere that for some reason Bob didn't care for his production work on these albums. Can't understand why. Also, I will never understand why Bob decided to keep the songs, "Dignity" and "Series of Dreams" off this album, especially SOD which would have made a great album title. As much as I've come to like "Political World" I can see these two tracks taking it's place. Speaking of producers, always wish that T Bone Burnett would produce a Bob album. Anyway, another enjoyable review Mr Heaton. Well done.
Very enjoyable great review///I love the artwork too///boy I wasn't buying records either I was actually selling off///duh who knew? I bet you've already done Desire haven't you? Thanks take care-- Lis
Hi John. I love your fondness of Dylan's music. With regard to the lyrics of Man in the Long Black Coat.... There are no mistakes in life some people say It is true sometimes you can see it that way. But people don't live or die people just float. She went with the man in the long black coat.. I think these words are crucial...and in my opinion refers to the fact that people tend to drift aimlessly through life, but this lady decided to leave ...quite suddenly...with this gentleman. Was she right or wrong? Well, at least she made a decision and followed her heart. "There are no mistakes in life".....action is better than non action. That's my opinion anyway.
Well, I still think you would have liked at least portions of the Ryan Adams' album, "Prisoner" but I won't bug you further about it, John. Haven't ordered "Communique" yet but I am giving it serious consideration. Really like that debut album of theirs. Take care, my friend.
David Gena hi David... I did buy Prisoner on cd and have been quite enjoying it...not ready or feeling qualified to review it yet though plus would need to pick it up on vinyl first....cheers
John Heaton You are more than qualified to review any record! I have another that I'd really like to hear what you have to say about it. It's Crosby, Stills & Nash's debut album....one of my all-time favorites. I'm sure you're familiar with it and I have a hunch you like it. Just a thought. But I'm still hoping you'll give Ryan Adams a review when you're ready. As always, take care John.
I actually think shooting star might be the best song on this record. Absolutely amazing closer. Personally, oh mercy has grown to be my favorite dylan record.
Spot on review of a giant album. I think What Good am I and Shooting Star are almost up with the best on here - just a notch off perhaps. Keep em coming Hits-man Heaton.
Henry Hemming thanks Henry yeah I almost immediately being so negative on those tracks on side 2....they are decent and better than anything from the previous three albums
Not a fan of his 80s output but this one is a gem. Great production and cover. Thanks, John, I enjoy all your work.
This is one of my favorite albums, and I think part of that might be that the songs were shorter, more concise. In that respect it reminds me of Shot of Love (another favorite). I also like to point to this album for those who think that after the "Christian trilogy" he was all done with religion and spiritual stuff. Oh Mercy is very introspective, very spiritual. What Good Am I, Ring Them Bells, Man in the Long Black Coat, Shooting Star, ...and I love Lanois' production, too.
ronfowlermusic good points Ron...cheers
A very good album by Dylan . one of my favorites. Great review John.
James Hyatt thanks James
Oh Mercy proved that form is temporary and class is permanent.
Great review John, I have a soft spot for this album. One Dylans biography Down The Line, the two albums he doesnt with Danial are documented and add to the listening now.
Hi John, I've just watched and thoroughly enjoyed this review. I don't know where the title Oh Mercy came from but I like to think it was a nod to his fellow Wilbury Roy Orbison who passed away the previous year and famously spoke the word "Mercy" in his Oh Pretty Woman song. I'm probably way off the mark though.
Curiously, Bob's next album, Under the Red Sky, ends with the words "May the good Lord have mercy on us all".
This is a fantastic album John. Most of the Time is an absolute classic and one of my favourite Dylan tracks ever. Ring Them Bells, Shooting Star and What Good Am I are also amazing. Another great review for a fabulous album.
Tim shearn thanks Tim I hope you have the bootleg series companion...quite a revelation
John Heaton I have many of Dylan's bootlegs but not the one you showed in the video. However I will be rectifying that in short order!!
Beautiful album . Great review . I do love shooting star for it's simplicity mind . I saw a shooting star tonight and I thought of you . Most of the time , man in the long black coat ,ring them bells are faultless . Under the red sky was an album sort of nursery rhyme based with his little girl in mind I believe ?
It’s Daniel Lanois pronounced LAN-WAH
Thanks John. I really enjoy your in depth reviews, particularly on my two favorite artists Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. This is Bob’s New Orleans album, recorded at Lanois’ home studio with local musicians. A great return to form, although Shooting Star is much better and passionate on MTV Unplugged. After hearing some of your reviews, I often revisit these albums to re-listen to tracks I may have overlooked. Keep up the good work!
Top-notch review as usual John. I first heard this album in my student days and it was the first of Dylan's albums that really grabbed me.
James Griffiths good to know James the first one I was introduced to was slow train coming a few years after its release mind...like early 80s....cheers
I was also delighted with "Oh Mercy" when it came out in 89' - I was starting to give up hope, somewhat, on Bob at that point.. and like you, I was no longer buying vinyl in those years - I originally had it on cassette..."Everything Is Broken" was the song from it that got a lot of airplay - I remember hearing it on the radio and thinking "Bob's back!" - I don't know if you're up on Classic Blues artists, John, but that song is very much in the style of Slim Harpo - The Stones covered his song "Shake Your Hips" on "Exile on Main St", as well as a couple of his other tunes on earlier albums... I think that "Oh Mercy" has held up quite well over the years, and as another person noted in the comments here, the album benefits from the shorter, more concise, songs...Nice review, as usual, John.
Thomas Calden thanks Thomas and for the tip!
Hi John .. another great review... I have been thinking of buying a vinyl album of bob Dylan for quite a while, so going on your review I will be purchasing this one.. thanks ... alan
alan edwards good to hear Alan...cheers!
My very favorite Bob albums all have a lady in a dress on the cover.
Another great review of a solid album by Mr Dylan. Good choice. Great cover. "Disease of Conceit" and "Shooting Star" are my favorites. A great return for Bob from the abyss called the 1980's. I think Bob's work with the Wilbury's maybe freed him up a bit. It's funny cuz all of the Wilbury's each would also put some of their best solo albums during this period as well. Without a doubt Daniel Lanois'(which is actually pronounced, Lan-wah) production really helps Dylan's tunes. As you mentioned, it really gives a swampy feel to the songs. Loved his work on "Time out of Mind" as well. I did, however, read somewhere that for some reason Bob didn't care for his production work on these albums. Can't understand why. Also, I will never understand why Bob decided to keep the songs, "Dignity" and "Series of Dreams" off this album, especially SOD which would have made a great album title. As much as I've come to like "Political World" I can see these two tracks taking it's place. Speaking of producers, always wish that T Bone Burnett would produce a Bob album. Anyway, another enjoyable review Mr Heaton. Well done.
nowhereman64 thanks! And thanks also for the pronunciation correction I had a feeling it may be pronounced the French way...cheers!
Very enjoyable great review///I love the artwork too///boy I wasn't buying records either I was actually selling off///duh who knew? I bet you've already done Desire haven't you? Thanks take care-- Lis
L. E. Thanks Lis... yes done Desire but still have a few big ones to do of his!
I don't have this one . But this might be one to check it out Thanks John !!.
Beatle Brad you're welcome Brad...pick it up if you see it at a reasonable price!
Hi John. I love your fondness of Dylan's music. With regard to the lyrics of Man in the Long Black Coat....
There are no mistakes in life some people say
It is true sometimes you can see it that way. But people don't live or die people just float. She went with the man in the long black coat..
I think these words are crucial...and in my opinion refers to the fact that people tend to drift aimlessly through life, but this lady decided to leave ...quite suddenly...with this gentleman. Was she right or wrong? Well, at least she made a decision and followed her heart. "There are no mistakes in life".....action is better than non action.
That's my opinion anyway.
Well, I still think you would have liked at least portions of the Ryan Adams' album, "Prisoner" but I won't bug you further about it, John. Haven't ordered "Communique" yet but I am giving it serious consideration. Really like that debut album of theirs. Take care, my friend.
David Gena hi David... I did buy Prisoner on cd and have been quite enjoying it...not ready or feeling qualified to review it yet though plus would need to pick it up on vinyl first....cheers
John Heaton You are more than qualified to review any record! I have another that I'd really like to hear what you have to say about it. It's Crosby, Stills & Nash's debut album....one of my all-time favorites. I'm sure you're familiar with it and I have a hunch you like it. Just a thought. But I'm still hoping you'll give Ryan Adams a review when you're ready. As always, take care John.
I actually think shooting star might be the best song on this record. Absolutely amazing closer. Personally, oh mercy has grown to be my favorite dylan record.
shooting star is great.....
"oh mercy" is just a phrase Bob uses at times....No real hidden meaning.
Great album, Most of The Time is a real gem.
Oh mercy may refer to Roy Orbison.....mercy
..pretty woman
Daniel lanwah
Spot on review of a giant album. I think What Good am I and Shooting Star are almost up with the best on here - just a notch off perhaps. Keep em coming Hits-man Heaton.
Henry Hemming thanks Henry yeah I almost immediately being so negative on those tracks on side 2....they are decent and better than anything from the previous three albums
Shooting Star and What Good Am I are excellent, especially the latter - rare to hear Bob so open about his faults.
Absolutely. And the declining melody is captivating.
ronfowlermusic good point Ron
genuinely. they may fall slightly short of the highlights, but they're great nonetheless. Perhaps Shooting Star is too easily written.
His name of Lanois (Lan-wah). Please don't quit you day job.
your opinion is null and invalid. Troll.
What a petty comment. You must be the life of the party.